In the Spirit is Self Control

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Weymouth – For the Spirit which God has given us is not a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of sound judgement.

Montgogmery – For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power and of love and of self-control.

New Living – For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

1 Corinthians 14:33 – For He  is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.

A person walking in the spirit does not lack discipline or self control.  God’s spirit is a spirit of discipline, self control and sound judgment.  He is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.

Going on with God into the things of the spirit will not make you weird or over spiritual; it will make you more stable and established.  It will make you reliable and trustworthy not weird or flighty.

2 Peter 1:2 – Grace and peace are multiplied as you grow in the knowledge of God.

Romans 8:6 – The mind set on spiritual things is life and peace (not confusion or uncertainty).

John 6:63 – God’s Word to your heart (rhema) is spirit and life.  When God speaks, it produces spirit and life not confusion or fear.

Ephesians 4:11-13 – Growing in the knowledge of God and His truth, growing in spiritual things, will make you more and more stable.  In fact, stability is a sign of maturity.

2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). His Spirit produces liberty not bondage.

Galatians 5:1 – It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Colossians 3:15 – And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live].

God’s peace is the umpire.  It calls the shots.  The devil can counterfeit a “check” in your spirit, but he can’t give you that wonderful, whole-hearted peace and assurance.

James 3:15-7 –  This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).  For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.  But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle).  [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

Signs that it isn’t God’s wisdom or voice you are hearing: jealously, envy, contention, rivalry, selfish ambition, confusion, unrest, disharmony, rebellion, all sorts of evil, wisdom or thoughts that are earthly unspiritual, or demonic.

Signs that it is God’s wisdom: pure, undefiled, peaceable, courteous, considerate, gentle, willing to yield, full of compassion and good fruits, whole-hearted and straightforward, impartial and unwavering, sincere.